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OPINION

Letters to editor in Naples Daily News Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019

'What is Trump hiding?'

Behaving as a cult leader, Donald Trump is leading Republicans in Congress and White House staff on a dangerous path. They are defying our Constitution by blocking testimony and refusing to release any documents or information that relate to the current impeachment inquiry.

What is Trump hiding? The lies and misleading statements from Trump, FOX News, Rep. Nunes and William Barr are actual “talking points” of Putin, who is now sitting on the sidelines, rubbing his hands together with glee as he contemplates his actions to interfere in our 2020 election.

Control of the minds of the voter base with lies mediated by Fox News and social media could be the mechanism for Trump to survive impeachment in the Senate. That and re-election due to the lies could be among preludes to the devolution of democracy in the USA and throughout the world. Take heed, evangelicals and the greedy wealthy who profited from Trump’s tax cuts.

William A. Pettinger, Bonita Springs

Trump returns Rudy Giuliani.(Photo: Bruce Plante/Tulsa World)

Crisis beyond the presidency?

Democrats accuse Republicans of obstructing justice to protect a corrupt president. Republicans accuse Democrats of attempting a coup to overthrow the elected government.

If polls and voter anger are reliable forecasts for possible widespread violence after the general election, what will encourage acceptance of election results and avert a red vs. blue civil war?

The cause of our impending crisis goes beyond the president. U.S. household income inequality is now the greatest since 1967. Divorce causes household incomes to plunge. Our middle class needs strong whole families to survive.

Reliance on capitalism, socialism or promises from any politician or candidate will not correct any unethical or incompetent government that fails to represent the true temporal and eternal interests of American voters. Guidance from Scripture and faith is a solution.

Bruce Allen, East Naples

'Unacceptable alternatives' to Trump

Democrats and never-Trumpers are mystified by the support Trump commands. They view supporters as cult-like, morally inferior and having evil souls.

There’s a simple explanation: Trump supporters aren’t blind to the outrageous, mercurial and uncouth characteristics of our president. But they are devoted conservatives and refuse to permanently forsake their sincere policy preferences in exchange for dumping a temporary leader who supports many of their ideals.

Even if tempted by the “siren song” of progressivism, conservatives can’t support rejecting the Electoral College, full-term abortions, ineffective border-control policies, unsustainable ideas for free higher education, and Medicare for all. And then they see the "Green New Deal” with its goals to eliminate autos, virtually eliminate air travel, reject clean nuclear energy, and so much more.

Maybe there’s a subliminal attraction to Trump’s combative style. But the real explanation is simple: Trump supporters are resolute in their opposition to the Democrat candidates and their policy priorities. It’s all about unacceptable alternatives. They are left with no choice.

Steve Bakke, Fort Myers

New toll road needed?

Although Mr. Galvano is a state senator, it doesn’t mean he’s always right. The proposal for new toll roads in Florida is a case in point. Many residents don’t agree on the need, evidenced by large turnouts of people at public hearings expressing displeasure. I was one.

While I support environmentalists and “panther huggers,” I am not knowledgeable enough to fight that fight. Same for the proposed northern toll roads.

However, I do have considerable experience with the Polk County to Naples proposal, as I travel from Fort Myers through Orlando often.

I travel from Tice (30 minutes north of Naples) to Punta Gorda, then U.S. 17 to Bartow, the Polk County seat. Travelling through Arcadia and a few small towns (25 traffic signals; all four-lane) my time is 1:42 (Google maps 1:51). It takes 12-17 minutes more to Winter Haven and Lakeland, respectively. Outside towns, I seldom see more than a half-dozen other cars either way. Why do we need another lightly used road?

After accessing many maps showing the proposed southern route, I find them intentionally vague. How many friends/big donors have properties within the proposed boundaries (legislators included)? We already know road builders are interested. Few others seem to be.